Self-control is the capacity to operate normally in society while managing your emotions, desires, and conduct in the face of external expectations. Most individuals tend to do this balancing act every day – the ones that occasionally can’t be outlawed or locked up.
Self-control at the casino works the same way, although the penalties for failure are sometimes just as harsh. Some individuals have wiped away their funds at the slots, while others turn to white-collar crime such as fraud to fuel their addiction. This is, of course, not typical behavior, but it is something that affects millions of casino visitors to some degree.
This page reveals some of the finest strategies to preserve self-control when playing at the casino. We also present some techniques to enhance your general discipline and a list of the indicators that someone may be suffering from a gambling addiction.
How to preserve control at the casino in
The next time you go through the doors of a casino, keep the following strategies and methods in mind. You may not be able to use them all in a single trip, but any dedicated gambler will have plenty of opportunities to employ them over several years.
• Understand the rules \s• Avoid alcohol \s• Taking breaks \s• Bankroll Management \s• Don’t get greedy \s• Never borrow money \s• Avoid the ATM \s• Don’t pursue losses
Understand the rules
How can you expect to win in a game if you don’t grasp the rules? Some casino offers are simpler to understand than others, so always do your homework before sitting down at the table. This can spare you a certain amount of shame during a game and save you from making dumb and costly blunders. Many casinos provide practice tables where you can learn games without paying, and the internet is full of free versions of every casino favorite.
Avoid alcohol
Intoxicated individuals often deceive themselves, and even someone a bit drunk is not working 100 percent. Many casinos give complimentary alcoholic beverages that should tell you all you need to know. They don’t make their clients happy; they do it so that consumers become inebriated and make mistakes when gambling. The casino already has the edge over the players, and please don’t give them another one by getting pounded.
taking breaks
Anyone who has ever gone to a casino has seen blurry-eyed gamblers who appear to haven’t slept in days. However, the savvy players never place themselves in such a situation. Your body requires sleep to function correctly and limiting it leads to mental blunders that may cost you dearly. Don’t be hesitant to retreat to your room for a few hours of relaxation, especially if you’ve played a marathon session. Take a break every hour to clear your thoughts and battle the hypnotic draw of the slot machines.
Bankroll Management
Your bankroll is the amount of money you have allocated to wager. You should always play within this amount and stop when it runs out. If you are betting over multiple days, this sum should be divided by the number of gaming sessions. If you lose the proper amount during a session, stop playing and find something else to do. Another technique is to establish a target and cease when you win that amount. This may seem excessive and extremely monotonous, but this type of discipline stops clever gamers from going destitute and wasting their kid’s college money on a Beverly Hillbillies slot machine.
Don’t get greedy
Let’s imagine a player wins $300 on a slot machine. He thinks to himself, “Now I’m playing with the casino’s money, so I’ll see how long I can keep up my hot run.” Then he immediately loses the $300 and another $150 of his own hard-earned money. When the gambling gods think it essential to grant you a blessing, it is always prudent to take it and walk away. The house edge gets to everyone in the long run, so take the cash and flee when the opportunity arises.
Never borrow money
If you borrow money to gamble, you might presume that you cannot afford the gambling yourself. While a winning session could allow you to return the loan and still have a reasonable sum left over, what happens if the session finishes in a loss? You’re broke and in debt to someone else, which can terminate friendships and alienate family members. If you can’t afford to play with your own money, don’t play. Anyone who can’t keep to the prior statement should read our final section on gambling difficulties since they may require help.